Moving home is an exciting time, but it’s also one of the most stressful periods in anyone’s life. There is a lot to think about, including terminating utilities, finding a reputable removals firm, packing goods so they don’t get damaged and more.
And then there’s the cost. There is no doubt that moving home is expensive; RealEstate.com.au estimates that the average cost of moving house is between $4500 and $5500.
But that doesn’t tell the whole story, because most moves also incur hidden costs, which if you’re not careful, can soon start adding up. So, in this blog, we are going to look at 8 unexpected and hidden costs when moving home.
Packing materials
You can’t move home without buying packing materials. No matter if you are contracting out removals to a specialist firm or plan on doing the heavy lifting yourself, you are going to need plenty of packing materials.
Items to budget for include rolls of bubble wrap, packing paper and tape. A selection of cardboard boxes will also come in handy. It’s difficult to budget for this, but you should expect to pay between $250-500 for packing materials.
Utility connection/disconnection fees
You should also budget for utility connection and disconnection fees. The cost of these varies from state to state and the type of property. If your old home is being demolished, you may have to pay for a supply abolishment, which can cost $300.
Supply and disconnection fees are quite affordable, with prices ranging from $20-$72 for electricity and $51-$100 for gas. But remember to budget for both disconnection and connection. This means the total budget could be between $350 for gas and electricity.
Mail redirection
Along with your utilities, you will also need to get your mail redirected to your new home. This is an important step and it’s often forgotten in the stress of moving day. Fortunately, the Australian Post office makes the job easy, but it’s not free.
The cost will depend on the amount of mail you receive and where you are moving to. The redirection of personal mail within the same area costs $34 per household. People working from home may have to pay home office redirection fees, which start at $68.
Takeaways
When moving home, your power will be switched off and you won’t have access to the fridge. This means you won’t be able to do any cooking, and you probably won’t feel like it anyway.
Most people resort to takeaways at least for a couple of days until they get settled in. Takeaway costs can vary across regions, but you should budget for between $13-$15 per person.
Broken items
When moving home, the hope is that everything goes to plan, but the fact is items often get broken, lost or even stolen during the process. Data from RealEstate.com.au shows that glass is the most common thing damaged, followed by pots, art and furniture.
You can reduce the risk of items being damaged by making sure you pack everything properly. Check out our blogs on how to pack glassware and prepare artwork for moving here.
Temporary storage
Homeowners that are downsizing will need somewhere to store their unwanted furniture and belongings until they can dispose of them properly. The best solution for this is to book a temporary storage unit.
Storage units are relatively cost-effective and are available at short or long-term rates. The cost of storage varies from city to city, but you can expect to pay anything from $250 to $500 per month for a small storage unit.
Car parking costs
Including parking, costs may seem strange, but many homes, especially those close to large cities, have restricted parking areas. This means you may have to pay for delivery vehicles to be parked for long periods.
Always check to see what, if any, parking restrictions are in place at your destination. If possible, obtain a parking permit before moving day. If you are using a third party removalist, ask if parking costs are included in the removals fee.
Decorating costs
Decorating costs fall into two categories. There is the decorating you have to do in your new home to make it more habitable, and there is the decorating you have to do to your existing home to make it more saleable.
The cost of decorating varies depending on whether you do it yourself or get the professionals in. But to give you an idea, professional painters and decorators usually charge $280 for a small room and $520 for a large one.
Need help finding a professional removalist?
Are you moving home and need help finding a professional removalist? Then don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of removal experts. We provide a complete range of removalist services for homes of all sizes.
We are a professional firm with both Carrier Liability and Public Liability insurance. This provides complete protection of your belongings both on the move and while being transported from the home to the truck. Complete the form here for a free quote.